Navigation

What is Global Warming?

What is Global Warming?

"What is global warming?" This is a question frequently asked by people, thanks to the number of news reports that talk about the numerous effects of climate change in the world. While the global warming controversy remains talked about these days, with some people contesting that the changes happening in the climate are nothing more than natural phenomena, there is enough evidence of global warming that prove that there is truth to what scientists are saying. This article answers the question, "What is global warming?" and gives more information about this phenomenon, including global warming statistics, so you will know what this is actually about.

What is global warming? What causes global warming?

Global warming is the phenomenon wherein the temperature of the earth rises due to the amount of greenhouse gases (particularly carbon dioxide and methane, as well as water vapor and nitrous oxide) in the environment, which trap the heat and light coming from the sun into the atmosphere and prevent these from being released once again.

People are actually the ones who are responsible for the amount of greenhouse gases in the environment. The amount of innovations humans create to make their lives better have caused a downside, which is the increase in the pollution released into the environment. Fossil fuel combustion is required to produce electricity, which then releases greenhouse gases into the environment.

Effects of global warming

Going hand-in-hand with the question, "What is global warming?" is "What are the effects of global warming?" The effects of global warming are many and varied, and most if not all of these are quite alarming. These include:

- Rising seas. As the temperature increases, the polar caps melt off, which results in rising seas and the possibility of low-level islands disappearing.

- Changes in rainfall patterns. The major changes occurring in the environment are being attributed to global warming. Areas can experience droughts, flooding, and other such weather changes that these haven't previously experienced, or at least, not to a major extent.

- The possibility of the extinction of several species. The effects of global warming can change the natural habitat of several species of animals. Polar bears are an example of a species now endangered because of global warming, since the melting of the ice caps has greatly shortened their feeding season.

- Spread of diseases. The rising of the temperature may allow insects and other carriers to migrate to new regions to spread disease, such as malaria.

- Coral death. As seas get warmer, these can also acidify due to carbonic acid formation, which can then result in the bleaching of coral reefs that can damage or even kill these. As a result, fish can also die, since their homes will be destroyed. The warming seas have also triggered the loss of plankton, which serves as food for many types of sea creatures, putting them also in danger of extinction as well.

Can people do something do fight the signs of global warming?

Thankfully, there are steps people can take in order to fight the signs of global warming. Simple steps, such as walking, riding a bike, or taking public transportation to your destination instead of driving to it can already minimize your carbon footprint. Turning off and unplugging electrical devices when not in use can also help in minimizing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. There are simple steps that you can take in order to help fight global warming.

This article only covered the basics of the question, "What is global warming?" Read up on the topic so you can find out what you can do to help save nature by taking steps to fight against global warming and climate change.